Search for person in water – update

The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a 54-year-old man who went missing in Rich Passage near Bainbridge Island at 1:43 p.m., Tuesday.

Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Wahoo, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat homeported in Port Angeles, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Port Angeles, two 45-foot Response Boat-Mediums from Station Seattle and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Astoria, Ore., searched over 400 miles for a combined 28 hours.

“The decision to suspend a search is never an easy one to make and is done with great care and deliberation,” said Lt. Cmdr. Darkeim Brown, search and rescue mission controller at Sector Puget Sound. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man.”

After a probable search area is saturated with maximum number of assets and crew effort, and the person is not located, the decision is made to suspend an active search, however the Coast Guard can resume an active search if credible information is received regarding the missing person’s whereabouts.

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Search is underway for a 54-year-old man in Rich Passage near Bainbridge Island, Monday.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Seattle, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles and the Coast Guard Cutter Wahoo, an 87-foot Coast Patrol Boat homeported in Port Angeles, are searching for a Bainbridge Island-man reportedly wearing blue jeans and a sweat shirt and not wearing a life jacket.

The RBM boatcrew arrived on scene and discovered multiple indications the vessel was being used, including a fishing pole and an open tackle box. The wife confirmed to the Coast Guard that his truck and trailer were still at the Port Orchard Marina boat ramp.

If there is anyone with any possible information regarding the mariner’s location, please contact the Coast Guard at (206)217-6001.

Weather on scene is overcast with 12 mph winds, an air temperature of 55 degrees and a water temperature of 55 degrees.